Reader comments
Vytorin and Zetia fail in heart study

I was interested in the results of the study until I read it was led by a dutch doctor. Why? The Dutch have a horrific medical system, even by European standards. Everyone must go through a 'Home doctor' who often has little if any medical training, they deny care for even the simplest of problems, and refuse to give antibiotics for even the severest of infections (when they do give them, they are the weakest form). They also do not have a very vigorous medical education. Not that I believe the drug companies know best, but why a panel led by a non-US doctor???

I have lived in 3 countries in Europe - Switzerland, Germany and The Netherlands. Doctors in the other countries here do not respect the Dutch medical system.

After reading all the negative comments on Multi-level Marketing, I very much doubt the public will take the same posture on the pharmaceutical industry.Will people call this snake oil?

I take Vytorin and took Zocor previously. I spoke with my doctor after this story broke sevral weeks ago. He said that because this study was conducted with people who have "super high cholesterol due to a gene disorder," it is not conclusive for people like me, who don't start with those high levels. Vytorin reduces my LDL below 70, which other studies show does reduce the risk of heart problems. The LDL level for those in the study didn't approach that theshhold.
I wish the reporting on important stories like this were more balanced and less sensational. As it is, the one- or two-sentence balance is buried in the hype. Due to the scare factor of the original stories I was letting my prescription for Vytorin run out. But on consulting with my doctor I've decided I will stay on Vytorin until the more "pivotol" study is completed.

I also switched from Zocor to Vytorin, and my cholesterol dropped to acceptable levels within a month. I had been on Zocor for several years and they kept upping my dose. The Vytorin does lower the LDL levels and my Doctor would not let me switch, because the results were so drastic in my case.

I'm also taking Vytorin, and my LDL cholesterol levels dropped dramatically. It appears that what is being questioned here is whether lowering LDL cholesterol ensures a lower risk of heart attacks, etc. That is a huge assumption in the medical industry now, but many who are against cholesterol-lowering drugs have claimed there isn't relationship between the two.

If true, this could mean that many of us with acceptable cholesterol levels could be at risk of heart attacks as much as if we were taking nothing (with some drugs--more). Whether we like the medical system of the country doing these tests, it's a good idea to keep an eye on what these and the follow up tests show. (And I'm sure the lawyers are watching carefully too.)

I took vytorin for 6 months, while it lowered my over all cholesterol from 227 to 197 it increased my triglerites from 162 to 235 ( that is a lot of blockage increasing.) my Vldl's also increased from 32 to 47.

My LDL dropped from 164 to 117, still high with anything over a 100 being high. I have switched from the expensive Vytorin to another drug, when 6 months is gone by I will measyure the results again.

I have been working out at the gym so as to increase my activity level for a 65 year old to 6-8 hours a week. but my weight has stayed about the same at 270 pounds at 6ft 2 inches.

First, numbers don't lie. Second, there has been other statins that have done the same type of study and have had success (Lipitor's ASAP study, ask your doctor). Finally, keep wanting Vytorin but when your insurance company drops it from your formulary "HAVE FUN" paying the cash price for Vytorin which is well over a hundred dollars when you can get the same benefit if not better from a drug that cost pennies a day.